Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Smoke Free Indy wants to thank the councillors who have supported and led the fight to make Indianapolis a healthier city to live and work in. We were very close, and while the smoke free workplace proposal did not pass last night, we will continue to work toward having everyone protected by Indianapolis law from diseases caused by on-the-job exposure to secondhand smoke.

While Proposal 371 may have been tabled, it was not defeated on Monday night. The smokefree workplace proposal is very much alive and this issue is just as important to the workers and residents of Indianapolis today as it was yesterday and it will remain tomorrow.

The council did not adopt a comprehensive smoke free workplace policy last night, but we are hopeful and confident that they will someday, just as so many other municipalities, states and countries have done. Indianapolis was not among the first major world-class cities to adopt a comprehensive smoke free workplace policy to protect all workers, and it would not even be among the middle today, but we do not want to be the last to adopt this common sense smoke free solution that protects the health of workers and improve the economic viability and quality of life for the people of Indianapolis. We hope the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council will embrace a comprehensive smokefree workplace policy sometime in the near future.

We will continue to work to protect ALL workers from secondhand smoke exposure. Secondhand smoke is a proven cause of heart disease, lung cancer, respiratory disease and other serious health hazards, not just a mere annoyance. No one should have to choose between their jobs and their health.

Last night, the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council voted on Proposal 371, the smoke free workplace proposal that would remove smoking from most indoor workplaces in Indianapolis, including bars, nightclubs and bowling alleys. Neither the supporters of Proposal 371 nor the opponents had enough votes to pass or kill Proposal 371.

A motion was made and passed to table Proposal 371. So what does this mean? 15 votes will now be required at a Council meeting to re-hear Proposal 371 and then it can be voted on again.

-Stay tuned with all the latest details by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

All workers should have the same protection...whether you work in an office or bar, whether you took the bar exam or you are a bartender; the law should cover all. Let's make Indianapolis a truly world class city!

The editorial in the Sunday edition of the Indianapolis Star is a thoughtful, well-reasoned and thorough refutation of the common arguments against smoke free workplace laws presented by opponents. The editorial says “The case for going smoke free is airtight based on the facts.” Then one-by-one, the Star tells each one of these tried and untrue opposition claims to go fly a kite.

The editorial even flips the script on these arguments by asserting that “economic and personal rights, far from being abridged by a smoke free environment, have been enhanced in cities bold enough to go all out for public health. This is the second editorial this month endorsing Proposal 371 and calling for its passage. Thanks, Indy Star!

Please share with key opinion leaders and councillors. And on that note, please contact members of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council to ask them to vote “yes” on Proposal 371 tonight.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Today, Smoke Free Indy released a study on the economic impact of secondhand smoke exposure that was conducted by the IU School of Medicine, Bowen Research Center.

The key finding is that secondhand smoke costs Marion County residents $47.5 million annually in excess health costs, or $54 per person. Links to the executive summary and full report can be found here.

While the significant health harm caused by secondhand smoke is a compelling reason to support comprehensive smokefree workplace laws by itself, the fact that secondhand smoke exposure has such a staggering cost in Indiana provides even more reasons why the City-County Council should adopt Proposal 371 in its present form and without further amendments.

Proposal 371, the smokefree workplace proposal will be up for consideration and action by the full council on Monday night at 7pm. Please contact the Indianapolis City-County Council and Mayor Greg Ballard to ask them to support Proposal 371 to protect the health of workers. Go here to find out who your Councillor is and call Mayor Ballard at: (317) 327-3601.

INDIANAPOLIS – A study released today revealed that the economic impact of secondhand smoke costs $47.5 million annually, according to a new economic impact study released today by IU’s Bowen Research Center, and this staggering total inhibits economic growth in Indiana.

“Secondhand smoke results in excess medical costs of $54 per capita for Marion County residents,” said Dr. Terrell Zollinger, Dr.PH, Bowen Research Center, IU School of Medicine. “The burden of these expenses is assumed by businesses, government, and individual citizens.”

The study, presented at a news conference at the Indianapolis City Market, included estimated costs related to ambulatory care, hospital inpatient stays, and loss of life based on hospital discharge data, vital statistics and census data. The results come as the Indianapolis Marion County City-County Council of Indianapolis and Marion County considers a comprehensive smoke free workplace ordinance that would include all workplaces, including bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and membership clubs.

According to Zollinger, the estimated health care costs for 2008 was over $18 million for hospitalization and health care of patients with diseases attributed to secondhand smoke exposure. Additionally, another $29 million was lost due to premature death that can be attributed to secondhand smoke exposure. These costs do not include the health care and loss of life costs of Marion County residents who are smokers.

“The stunning economic costs contained in this report from the Bowen Research Center should be an economic warning signal to our city-county councillors,” said Missy Lewis, Smoke Free Indy Coalition Chair. “Indianapolis needs a comprehensive smoke free workplace law to protect both the health of our workers, and the economic health of our entire community.”

The release of the new Marion County economic report comes on the heels of a new national report released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) confirming that secondhand smoke could cause heart attacks and that smoke free laws prevent heart attacks and save lives. The IOM report confirmed that eliminating smoking in all workplaces is an effective way to protect Americans from the health effects of secondhand smoke, particularly heart attacks.

“The costs of secondhand smoke, in addition to its detrimental health impact, should be considered when developing policy recommendations,” Zollinger said. “This makes good business sense because employers bear additional costs for the health insurance premiums used to pay for treatment of disease caused by secondhand smoke and they assume the indirect costs associated with increased sick leave and lost work time.”

The Bowen report further concluded that consumers and society carry a portion of the economic burden of secondhand smoke as well. Consumers assume additional costs with their portion of insurance premiums and any additional coinsurance and/or co-payments associated with the hospitalization, physician and pharmaceutical costs resulting from exposure to secondhand smoke. In addition, businesses pass on their increased costs of health care in higher costs for goods and services to consumers.

Society assumes the cost burden for the uninsured population through the large amount of uncollected hospital revenues. Taxpayers bear the cost of Medicaid benefits for the indigent population and for Medicare clients requiring treatments for secondhand smoke-related diseases.

The report was prepared by the Bowen Research Center, Department of Family Medicine in the IU School of Medicine. The data was compiled using the number of Marion County deaths in 2007 and hospital discharges from 2005 to estimate the number of individuals affected by secondhand smoke. All cost estimates were adjusted to 2008 dollar values.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Now that Proposal 371 has been voted out of committee, it will be heard and voted upon by the full city-council on October 26th. There will be no public testimony at this point but it's very important to still show our support by attending this meeting. We will need all supporters to come down to City Hall.

All workers should have the same protection...whether you work in an office or bar, whether you took the bar exam or you are a bartender; the law should cover all. Let's make Indianapolis a truly world class city!

The Institute of Medicine released a landmark report today which found that there is clear and overwhelmingly conclusive evidence that comprehensive smokefree workplace laws prevent heart attacks and that even brief, short term exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to a heart attack.

This research serves as yet another clarion call for policymakers in Indianapolis and across Indiana to act now to protect all workers from the serious health threat posed by on-the-job exposure to secondhand smoke.

Click here to read an statement by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and find a link to the full report.

Proposal 371, smokefree workplace ordinance that expands Indianapolis' law to bars, bowling alleys and other workplaces, was approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council's Community Affairs Committee by a 4-2 vote.

The committee amended the ordinance to exclude cigar and hookah bars, but otherwise the ordinance remains unchanged.

Thanks to all who came out to yesterday's hearing to testify or just show support, and also to those who have worked hard to get us to this point.

There's a lot of work to do before this is over.

The ordinance next will be considered by the full council on Monday, October 26th.Now is the time to make contact with the MAYOR and YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS to ask then to support Proposal 371 without further amendment.

Here are some of the news stories regarding the Community Affairs Committee Meeting last night:

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Westfield adopted a smoking ban in work and public places such as outdoor arenas, stadiums and amphitheaters, that goes into effect today, October 14th. On the surface it seems all good but in the big picture Westfield joins the list of local cities, including Indianapolis, which adopted limited bans still allowing smoking in bars, private clubs and restaurants that serve adults 21 and over. Limited bans still leave a large number of citizens unprotected including workers. Workers exposed to second hand smoke on the job are 50% more likely than the general population to develop lung cancer. No one should have to choose between their job and their health.Indianapolis has fallen behind considering 25 states and thousands of cities and counties across the nation now have 100% smoke free workplaces that include bars and restaurants. Indianapolis has to take the lead as the Capital of our state to push for a more comprehensive smoke free policy. As Indianapolis prepares for hosting more conventions and major sporting events wouldn’t it be great to also promote a “healthier and cleaner city” by pushing for a more comprehensive smoke free ordinance? If Indianapolis can do it, cities like Avon, Carmel, Greenfield, Greenwood, Lawrence, Speedway, Whitestown and Westfield can have a local example of strengthening an adopted smokefree ban to a more comprehensive one. We shouldn’t have to wait for a Statewide ordinance. Our city-council’s main function is to protect all citizens. Why not go with the tide of smokefree bans and ride the next big wave to a comprehensive smokefree ordinance for the city of Indianapolis? Let us join our local communities that already have comprehensive smokefree laws in Indiana – Bloomington, Cumberland, Elkhart, Franklin, Ft. Wayne, Greencastle, Hancock County, Monroe County, Plainfield, West Lafayette and Zionsville.

A new research study released yesterday quantifies the poor indoor air quality due to secondhand smoke in smoking-permitted hospitality venues that were exempt from the current Indianapolis law compared with similar hospitality establishments that were required to be smokefree by law.

The research demonstrates the disparity in indoor air quality that exists for those workers not protected from secondhand smoke under the present Indianapolis ordinance.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS – Amid the backdrop of a now smoke-free stage at a downtown Indianapolis nightclub, results of an air quality study were announced that revealed the level of indoor air pollution is 11 times higher in Indianapolis venues that permit smoking compared to smoke-free establishments.

The study, conducted in March 2009, measured indoor air quality in 10 workplaces in Indianapolis, including bars, restaurants, nightclubs and off-track betting sites. Each of the locations allows smoking indoors.

“The findings of this study reveal that the level of fine particulate air pollution is very unhealthy. In fact, this level of pollution is 11 times higher than smoke-free venues, and 12 times higher than outdoor pollution levels in Marion County,” said Tim Filler, a spokesperson for Smoke Free Indy. “The data clearly shows the disparity in the air we breathe in workplaces in Indianapolis. Workers who are not protected from secondhand smoke by the current law, like bar and nightclub employees, have their health jeopardized every day, while many other Indianapolis workers breathe freely in smoke-free workplaces…everyone deserves the same protection from on-the-job exposure to secondhand smoke.”

The results come as the Indianapolis City-County Council considers a comprehensive smoke-free workplace ordinance that would include all workplaces, including bars, restaurants, bowling alleys and membership clubs.

The study, completed by Buffalo, N.Y.-based Roswell Park Cancer Institute, also indicated that employees in the Indianapolis venues that permitted smoking were exposed to levels of air pollution three times higher than safe annual levels, as established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This was due solely to their occupational exposure to tobacco smoke.

The concentration of fine particulate air pollution, PM2.5 was measured with a TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor. The unit captures particulate matter in the air smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter. Particulates of this size are often released in significant amounts from burning cigarettes, are easily inhaled deep into the lungs, andare known to cause a variety of adverse health effects, including cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and death.

“As a physician, concerned with the health of my patients, it is imperative that the public be made of aware of these risks and that we do everything we can to create an environment where people don't have to worry about being exposed to secondhand smoke,” said Christopher Doehring, M.D., a family physician.

In terms of the work environment, the owner of Crackers Comedy Club, Ruth-Anne Bunting, says the difference is “night and day” in terms of the effect that a smoke-free club atmosphere is having on patrons and employees.

“I'm not losing anything in the way of business because of this decision and what's more, our patrons don't have to worry about going home selling like smoke and, even better, our employees don't feel as though they have to compromise their health for a paycheck, added Bunting.

For John Page, another of Bunting’s employees, the job of earning a living is now much easier.

“Just knowing that I don't have to go into work and face all that smoke is a relief…it leaves me looking forward to doing an even better job of serving our customers,” explained Page, who works as the club’s manager.

Under the direction of Miranda Spitznagle, director of program evaluation, ITPC worked in conjunction with the Roswell Park Cancer Institute to collect the data as part of the organization's ongoing evaluation efforts on the impact of smoke free air policy and secondhand smoke exposure on workers across Indianapolis and Marion County.

“This study gives us data that secondhand smoke is harming people right here in Indianapolis,” explains Spitznagle. “Rather than trying to convince people with data from faraway places outside of our state, we can now show Hoosiers the harmful effects of secondhand smoke in the exact places where they work and play.”

Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), founded in 1898, is the nation's first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. For more information, visit RPCI’s Web site at http://www.roswellpark.org/.

Monday, October 12, 2009

An ordinance that would ban smoking in enclosed spaces where it’s still allowed—primarily bars and bowling alleys—is once again being considered by the City-County Council. And again we urge councilors to adopt the measure.Government’s primary role is public safety. Contrary to some government regulations that overreach by protecting us from ourselves, the smoking ordinance would protect the majority non-smoking population from others—those who still engage in a habit Americans have known is dangerous for almost 50 years now.No one credibly disputes the dangers of secondhand smoke, yet it still swirls here in places of business, endangering employees and patrons. Indianapolis should join the tide of history and ban this dangerous habit as have our neighbors in places like Franklin, Plainfield and Zionsville. And when legislators convene next January, they should extend the same protection to people statewide.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The proposed comprehensive smoke free workplace ordinance, Proposal 371, was introduced last night before Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council, and it was assigned to the Community Affairs committee.

The next scheduled meeting of the Community Affairs committee is next Wednesday, October 14th at 5:30pm. At this point, per standard council procedure, this committee hearing is the single planned opportunity for concerned citizens, community leaders and other important stakeholders to testify before the council and speak in support of Proposal 371. Please save the date, plan to attend, and if you want to testify send an email to info@smokefreeindy.com.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Lung Association today called on the Indianapolis City-County Council to protect the health of the entire Indianapolis workforce by enacting a comprehensive smokefree workplace ordinance.Backed by an ever-growing coalition of supporters, Indianapolis Councilors introduced an ordinance this week to ensure healthy, smokefree workplaces county-wide, including bars and bowling alleys. This comprehensive smokefree ordinance will improve upon the current smokefree law which allows exemptions for certain businesses. Comprehensive smokefree workplace policies protect all workers from the known health hazards of secondhand smoke.Working together with Smoke Free Indy, the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Lung Association are committed to ensuring that all workplaces are smokefree and that no worker is treated as a second class citizen when it comes to their health.“No one should have to choose between their job and their health. All workers should have the same protection from deadly chemicals in secondhand smoke whether they work in an office or restaurant, whether they took the bar exam or are a bartender; the law should cover everyone,” said Tanya Husain, Executive Director for the American Cancer Society, Central Indiana Area Service Center.Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States. It contains more than 4,000 chemicals including over 60 carcinogens, causing 35,000 – 40,000 deaths from heart disease every year, and 3,000 lung cancer deaths among otherwise healthy nonsmokers.According to a May 2009 public opinion poll by the Survey Research Center at IUPUI, 81 percent of Marion County residents support the current smoke free law; 87 percent agree that all Indianapolis workers should be protected from secondhand smoke; 69.5 percent of Marion County resident support a law prohibiting smoking inside all workplaces, including bars, restaurants and bowling alleys.“It’s time for Indianapolis leaders to take charge and pass a comprehensive smokefree law for the health and safety of all their citizens,” said Doug Stafford, Executive Director for the American Lung Association in Indiana. “All workers need to be protected – bartenders, servers, cooks and all the others who comprise the hospitality industry deserve the same protection from the harmful toxins in secondhand smoke responsible for thousands of deaths each year.”Smokefree policies protect our most vulnerable citizens. A comprehensive policy would enable children, the elderly, and people with certain health conditions to enjoy establishments and venues in this city without putting their health at risk. Nonsmoking sections and ventilation systems, on the other hand, don’t eliminate exposure, as even the best ventilators are incapable of removing the free-floating poisons of secondhand smoke.Smokefree policies benefit not only the health of non-smoking workers, but they also decrease absenteeism among all employees, as well as reduce housekeeping and maintenance costs, lower insurance rates and result in fewer smoking-related fires. A number of economic studies show that comprehensive smokefree workplace laws have a positive impact on business.Currently, nine Indiana cities (including Franklin, Plainfield and Zionsville) and two Indiana counties (Hancock and Monroe) have smokefree laws that cover all workplaces including bars and restaurants.

# # #About the American Cancer SocietyThe American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About the American Heart AssociationFounded in 1924, we're the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases -- America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers -- we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit http://www.americanheart.org/.

About the American Lung AssociationFor over 100 years, the American Lung Association has been the lead organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air.” For more information about the American Lung Association call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to http://www.lungusa.org/.

Monday, October 5, 2009

In today’s edition, the Indianapolis Star editorial board endorsed a comprehensive smoke free workplace law for Indianapolis that covers all workplaces, including bars, bowling alleys and membership clubs [see link for full editorial below].

Thanks to the Star for this well-written and well-reasoned editorial supporting our campaign to protect all workers from on-the-job exposure to secondhand smoke.

The Indianapolis-Marion County City Council will begin consideration of Proposal 371, the proposed comprehensive smoke free workplace ordinance, tonight as the Proposal 371 will have first reading and be assigned to a committee tonight. This introduction tonight officially begins the formal council phase of the smoke free campaign we have been working on in Indianapolis for all these months and years.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

The time has FINALLY come!!! On Monday night, October 5, the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council will have the first reading of a COMPREHENSIVE smokefree workplace law that would cover ALL workplaces, including bars. This is something we have been working toward for many years! Thanks in advance for your continued patience, support and commitment to saving lives in Indianapolis! No one should have to choose between their job and their health. Everyone has the right to breathe smokefree air.

Smoke Free Indy supports the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council’s decision to move forward with a comprehensive smoke free ordinance to protect all workers from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Smoke Free Indy applauds Councillors Benjamin Hunter and Angela Mansfield and our other smoke free air champions on the council for their strong leadership in protecting the health of workers in Marion County. Secondhand smoke is a proven cause of lung cancer, heart disease and other serious health hazards. It is not just a mere annoyance. No one should have to choose between their jobs and their health.

Comprehensive smoke free workplace ordinances prevent disease and death and improve the economic development climate by reducing preventable health care costs. Furthermore 70 percent of Marion County residents support expanding the Indianapolis ordinance to include ALL workplaces, including bars.

It is time for Marion County to join many communities in Indiana and thousands around the world that have enacted a comprehensive smoke free ordinance that covers all workplaces.